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Ian completed 22 years of service and then became a technical support worker for Derbyshire Police, but signs of his condition began to emerge as he approached his 50th birthday.

Wendy said: "He was one of their best staff, but the nature of his type of dementia meant he lost the ability to plan and carry out tasks as he had been doing. He had to medically retire two years ago."

Staff Sergeant David Tuck, Captain Becky Parkinson and Corporal Patrick Hearne visited Churnet Lodge to talk to residents who served in the Navy, RAF and Army.

Staff Sgt Tuck had even restored and remounted Ian's precious medals, because the ribbons were showing some wear.

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Churnet Lodge, which celebrated its first anniversary on Friday, November 17, says it is "one of the few care homes in the area which is able to cater for people with young onset dementia."

Wendy said: "I spent a year trying to find somewhere suitable for him and when I first came to Barrowhill Hall the footings of Churnet Lodge were just going down.

"It feels like home to him and to me – so many of the colours on the walls are the same; the ornaments.

"Organising visits like this shows how much care they put into making life meaningful for Ian and everyone else who lives here, and I can’t wait to see how rediscovering his friends and colleagues will benefit him."

What is behavioural variant fronto-temporal dementia?

Fronto-temporal dementia is a rare form of the condition and affects the frontal lobes of the brain.

According to early-onset dementia charity Young Dementia UK, the behavioural variant of the condition is the most common type of fronto-temporal dementia.

It leads to alterations in complex thinking, personality and behaviour.

Apathy / inertia - poeple with bvFTD may exhibit a general loss of interest, drive or motivation. In extreme cases, they may need prompts to initiate or continue basic activities (eg bathing, dressing).

Loss of empathy - people with bvFTD may seem emotionally cold or detached and can exhibit an overt disregard for others pain or distress.

Perseverative / compulsive behaviours - these can range from simple repetitive behaviours such as tapping, scratching or picking, to complex compulsive behaviours such ordering, cleaning or collecting.

Executive dysfunction - due to cell loss in their frontal lobes, people with bvFTD exhibit deficits in complex thinking or 'executive functions' such as planning, organising, mental flexibility and generation of ideas.